Window shade



May 30, 1939. I BRENT 2,160,118

WINDOW SHADE Filed Feb. 7, 1938 INVENTOR.

' BY MJMz/lh L ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 30, 1939 unrrso s'rA'rss PATENT t am,

wmnow SHADE George F. Brent, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application February 7, 1938, Serial No. 189,039

1 Claim.

My invention relates to window shades, and consists in an improved shade structure having a vertically parted screen of fabric which is alternately serviceable as a shade and as draperies in the window in which it is mounted.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. I is a view in front elevation of a structure embodying the invention; the structure is shown in full lines in service as a shade and in dotted lines inservice as draperies. And Fig. II is a view of the structure, partly in side elevation and partlyin vertical section.

Referring to the drawing, the structure of the invention consists in a shade or screen I of soft fabric-fabric which may be readily neatly folded and which may, alternatelybe extended smooth ly in the plane of the window 2 in which the shade is suspended. Tothe upper framework of the window the shade is secured, advantageously upon a roller 3 of knownsort, which is mounted for rotation, to roll and unroll the shade in known way.

In accordance with this invention, the shade is parted or divided on a medial vertical line, and while the line of parting may extend from the bottom to the top edges of the shade, in this case it is terminated at the point lc below the top edge of the shade. alternately uniting and freeing the meeting edges of the two halves or sections la and lb of the shade, and such means. may consist, as herein shown diagrammatically, in a hookless fastener of the well known sort. Such fastener comprises two lines 4, 4 of fastener elements; each line of fastener elements is carried by a fabric tape 5,

and the tapes 5, 5 of the two lines of fastener elements are severally sewed to the inner edges of the shade sections 'la, lb. In'known way a slide 6 is operable to engage and disengage the two lines of fastener elements, whereby the medial edges of the shade sections may be united and separated at will.

It is important to note that the slide-fastener structure is so installed that the downward movement of the slide 6 unites the shade sections 45 and the upward movement separates them. And as shown, the usual pull-tassel 'l of the shade is secured to the slide.

When the two sections of the shade are united, as shown in full lines in Fig. I, the structure is 50 serviceable as a window shade or blind. The two sections la and lb are, to all intents and purposes, a single expanse of fabric which may be raised and lowered in usual way in the plane of the window, it being noted that the engaged 5 hookless fastener elements are of such flexibility in assembly that the united shade sections la, lb may be readily wound on the roller 3 and unwound. 1

Means are provided for Alternately, the shade structure may serve as draperies for the window. In such case the shade is drawn into extended position, and the slide 6 is run upward, permitting the two halves of the fabric to hang free from one another. The two 5 sections of freely hanging fabric are gathered or folded on vertical lines (in the same manner that draperies are gathered), and are tied to the opposite sides of the window, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. I. shade is serviceable as draperies for the window. The pull-tassel or pendant I hangs downward in theregion between the draperies, as shown, enhancing rather than detracting from the pleasing appearance of the draped window. 15

It will, be understood that the material. of which the shade is formed is a sheet of material which may be opaque or translucent in character. Preferably, the material is a soft textile, or a textile which may be readily gathered and folded 20 on vertical lines to permit of its use as draperies, and which alternately may be extended smoothly in the plane of the window to serve as a shade.

It goes without saying that the fabric may be a printed cloth, or a cloth otherwise ornamented; or it may be a cloth of plain color, light in texture, or heavy, as desired. And to enhance the appearance and utility of the installed structure,

I provide a valance 8 over the roller 3 and the usual mounting devices (not shown) for the roller.

In further refinement the lower edges of-the shade sections la and lb .may be weighted with lead pellets or buttons 9 secured within a tape l0, sewed to the outer face of the fabric.

I claim as my invention:

A window shade consisting of a rectangular sheet of flexible'fabric, a roller for supporting the shade at the top of a window and upon which the body of the shade may be wound and unwound, a valance mounted over the roller at the top of such window, the body of said shade being parted on a vertical, medial line and a hookless fastener secured to the edges of the body at said line of parting, said fastener including avertically movable slide, said slide being arranged, upon movement in down-direction, to engage said fastener and unite said edges, and, upon movement in upward direction, to disengage the fastener and'free said edges, the fabric of which said shade is formed being of relatively soft, flexible character and being adapted, when unwound from said roller, to be readily gathered and folded on vertical lines below said valance, whereby thebody of the shade on opposite sides 55 of said line of parting may be gathered and tied to provide draperies for the window, substantially as described.

GEORGE F. BRENT.

Thus, the body of the 10 

